To our community, inside and out:
Science, Language & Arts International School was founded on an ambitious vision – that a language immersion school does not have to be defined by its language; that the things young children are most interested in: science, numbers, building, and creating, can be integrated as an exciting, challenging, and engaging project-based curriculum; and that children can learn and be challenged in a nurturing, stress- and testing-free environment.
I saw a need for a school with a project-based curriculum focused on hands-on inquiry, that offers rich science topics from the earliest ages, that has a deliberate critical thinking language trajectory, that teaches life skills such as collaboration and conflict resolution, and that integrates the arts and culture as a necessary part of school and life.
Furthermore, I saw that this kind of school, with progressive and cutting-edge teaching methods based on the latest brain-development research, did not exist – in New York City or anywhere.
In 2011, one small class of pre-Kindergarteners, Kindergarteners, and a 1st grader gathered with our founding teachers inside a charming, landmarked building on St. Felix Street. As word has spread about our innovative and effective teaching methods, groundbreaking math program, arts-integrated science curriculum, and strong and close-knit community of families, SLA has grown at a tremendous rate and will realize its goal to become a full French and Mandarin immersion Nursery to Grade 8 school by 2024.
With a strong commitment to racial and socio-economic diversity, our goal is to make sure tuition is not a barrier to enrollment, and that our community of families reflects the diversity of our larger New York City community. To this end, SLA is among a handful of affordable independent schools with a generous allotment of financial aid.
As SLA flourishes and thrives, I could not be more proud of our accomplishments or more enthusiastic about our bright future. Outgrowing our original home on St. Felix Street this past year was a bittersweet harbinger of exciting years of growth ahead in our new building. We are ready with new programs, new partnerships, and new ideas to stimulate, build, and nurture our ambitious goal of being a day-to-night, year-round center of learning and community for children and adults.
Our web site offers only a glimpse into our thriving community. Please contact us to learn more about SLA or to arrange a visit. There is so much to share!
With my utmost sincerity,
Jennifer Wilkin
Founder & Head of School